Client Background

A large regional HVAC contractor in the Midwest U.S. embarked on an aggressive growth strategy, acquiring multiple smaller HVAC contractors to expand its footprint across the region and beyond. The roll-up strategy required rapid integration of operations and a significant workforce expansion to support new markets and service demands, with a 12-month timeline to stabilize the merged entities.

The Challenge

The acquisitions and growth demanded a robust workforce for both field operations and corporate leadership. Key challenges included:

  • Diverse Role Requirements: Recruiting installation technicians and service techs for field operations, alongside corporate roles like a CFO to manage financial integration, a controller for accounting oversight, and sales/business development leaders to drive new market growth.
  • Workforce Scaling: Hiring over 60 field professionals and 12 corporate roles, including operations managers, HR directors, and administrative staff, to support the expanded organization.
  • Compliance and Safety: Ensuring field workers met OSHA certifications, site-specific safety training, and industry standards for HVAC installations.
  • Logistical Complexity: Coordinating hiring across multiple states, managing travel for field techs, and streamlining executive search for corporate roles.
  • Integration Needs: Aligning talent acquisition with the integration of acquired companies to maintain service quality and operational efficiency.

Without access to qualified talent, the contractor risked delays in service delivery, financial mismanagement, and integration failures.

The Solution

Advastar provided a comprehensive staffing solution for both field and corporate needs. Our approach included:

  • Skilled Field Talent Acquisition: Sourcing installation technicians and service techs with expertise in residential and commercial HVAC systems to support expanded service areas.
  • Executive Search and Corporate Hiring: Placing a CFO to oversee financial integration, a controller to manage accounting for acquisitions, an operations manager to streamline service delivery, an HR director to unify workforce policies, and sales/business development leaders to capture new markets, plus administrative staff.
  • Strategic Hiring Process: Deploying over 60 field professionals and 12 corporate roles over 6–8 weeks, ensuring thorough vetting and alignment with growth objectives.
  • Compliance and Safety Management: Verifying OSHA certifications and safety training for field workers to maintain compliance and safety standards.
  • Logistical Support: Coordinating multi-state hiring, travel for field techs, and executive onboarding for seamless integration.

The Outcome

Advastar’s efforts enabled the contractor to successfully execute its roll-up strategy and stabilize operations. Key results included:

  • On-Target Expansion: The acquisitions were integrated within 12 months, expanding the contractor’s market presence.
  • Service Quality: Skilled technicians maintained high service standards across new regions.
  • Corporate Stability: The CFO, controller, and HR director streamlined financial and workforce integration, supporting sustained growth.
  • Safety Success: Zero safety incidents, driven by compliant field workers.
  • Client Satisfaction: The expanded service capacity led to new contracts and improved client retention.

Why Use Advastar as Your HVAC Recruiters?

Advastar’s expertise in field staffing and executive search makes us a vital partner for HVAC contractors undergoing rapid expansion. Our strategic deployment of skilled technicians and placement of corporate leaders ensures clients achieve growth objectives while maintaining operational excellence.